Typically, the insult was intensified by adding the adjective “old.” Normally applied to men, calling someone an old goat was a stinging rebuke.Ĭalling someone a goat today is quite an honor and compliment. To be compared to this ill-mannered, pushy, stubborn bearded creature who chews his food slowly, sideways, and with an open mouth is quite an insult. Calling someone a “goat” has never been meant as a compliment. Audition has the root word audio which refers to what we hear. During the same period, going for an “audition” meant a trip to the doctor to get my ears cleaned. However, in the 19 th c., going to a “hearing” meant that I was trying out. If I go to a hearing, that means I’m attending a court case in which arguments will be heard. Today, if I go to an audition, it means that I’m trying out for a part. Then, there are the words whose meaning have completely changed. If you post a comment and get flooded with so many negative replies that the commenters take control of the momentum of your message, you are said to have gotten “ratioed.” One example is the word “ratio.” While ratio is a familiar mathematical word that deals with the proportion of one thing to another and is still taught in school, there is an entirely different definition that’s more common today. Other words have added new meanings that are more culturally popular while retaining their traditional meanings. The words “amirite,” “ecoanxiety,” “janky,” “hodophobia,” “sharent,” “ish,” and “nothingburger” are just a few of 2020’s additions. For instance, new words are officially added to the dictionary every year. The English language is an ever-changing means of communication.
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